Mariah Carey has made her highly anticipated return with her first album in seven years, titled "Here For It All," released today. The record features a blend of candid storytelling and powerful vocals, but it's the apparent lyrical jabs at her former backing dancer and ex-boyfriend, Bryan Tanaka, that are drawing significant attention.

Carey and Tanaka's relationship began during her 2016 US reality show, "Mariah’s World," but they separated in 2023. At the time, Tanaka described their split as an "amicable separation." However, the narrative presented in Carey's new music offers a markedly different perspective, suggesting a less harmonious parting.

On the track "I Won’t Allow It," Carey directly confronts a former partner, singing, "Wanted the fame, used my name. But you thought you could do that. I wanted to change all your narcissistic ways." She continues with pointed lyrics, stating, "What you gonna do when you’re feeling low? Cos I don’t love you any more. No more." The specificity deepens with a line that seemingly identifies Tanaka, known for his distinctive facial hair: "See you walking by with your dirty moustache."

The assertive tone continues on "Confetti And Champagne," where Carey unequivocally declares her triumph and self-sufficiency. She sings, "I don’t need no closure over you, as I didn’t lose. Never a doubt, look at me now. My new baby text me ‘I’m on the way . . . ’" Further emphasizing her celebratory mood, she adds, "I stay surrounded by Confetti and Champagne. Cheer cheer cheers cheers cheers, to me, not you. Just me. I bet you thought it hit me deep, took me about a week. Ask me if I’ve ever faked it, you know that I did."

Beyond addressing past relationships, "Here For It All" also sees Carey embracing her long-standing "diva" persona. The album opens with the track "Mi," where she confidently asserts, "I don’t care about much if it ain’t about me, let the money talk first, conversations ain’t free. I’m the D.I.V.A that’s MC. Diamonds in my hair, that’s luxury. I’m a bad bitch but I’m good company."

Amidst the bold lyrical content, the album also showcases some of Mariah’s strongest vocal performances in years. The song "In You Feelings" is particularly noted for its impressive vocals, drawing comparisons to Whitney Houston's iconic "I Have Nothing." In this more vulnerable track, Carey expresses profound heartache: "I thought we could fly. Guess you’re probably scared of heights. I’ll let you go. Watching him walk out, let myself fall down. Why do we feel so estranged? Pay for my heartache, we are back where we started. I can’t keep playing these games."

Mariah Carey has revealed that her personal favorite on the album is the title track, "Here For It All." She strategically placed this song as the last in the sequence, hoping it would encourage listeners to experience the full album. She described it as an eclectic mix, evolving from a ballad into a mid-tempo section, and finally culminating in a gospel segment. Looking ahead, the "Queen of Christmas" is set to launch her festive Las Vegas residency at Dolby Live in November, promising a return to her signature holiday spirit.